2005 Chateau La Mission Haut-Brion (3L)

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Vintage: 2005
Format: 3L
Wine Name: Chateau La Mission Haut-Brion
Vineyard:
Designation: Cru Classe
Appellation: Pessac-Leognan
Producer: Chateau La Mission Haut-Brion
Varietal: Red Bordeaux Blend
Type: Red
Country:
Region:
Sub-Region:
Alcohol:

Tasting note: Deep ruby-red. Black raspberry and licorice on the nose. Dense and sweet but youthfully tight; a serious young wine with terrific verve and the acid/tannin backbone to support a long and glorious evolution in bottle. Very long on the back end, with mouth-saturating fruit and tannins. Like La Chapelle-and in direct contrast to Bahans and Haut-Brion-this is quite backward today, and almost certain to merit a higher rating in the future. (94+ pts. Stephen Tanzer)

Tasted: May 2008
Score: 94+
Drink: N/A

Tasting note: There are slightly more than 5,000 cases of the 2005 La Mission-Haut-Brion, a blend of 69% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, and a touch of Cabernet Franc. While there is little difference between La Mission and Haut-Brion’s terroirs (their vineyards are only separated by a two-lane road), La Mission possesses more fat, texture, and intensity. An enormously endowed wine with huge tannin and structure, the 2005 offers a quintessential Graves bouquet of burning embers, charcoal, blackberries, truffles, black currants, and a meaty character. Reminiscent of the 1989, with more structure as well as a longer window of drinkability, the 2005 may be a modern day, improved version of a vintage such as 1955, which was well-endowed, very tannic, and took a long time to come around. While fabulously full-bodied and unctuous, the 2005 will not provide much charm in its youth. It needs 8-10 years of cellaring, and should age effortlessly for 30-40 years. The rivalry between the two great Pessac-Leognan estates of Haut-Brion and La Mission-Haut-Brion continues despite the fact that since 1983, both wines have been made by the same winemaking team. Jean-Bernard Delmas has moved fifty miles north to Montrose, but his son, Jean-Philippe, has produced both wines following the 2003 vintage. La Mission is obviously made in a different style than Haut-Brion. It will never have as much nuance and nobility aromatically. It does possess more muscle, concentration, and opulence than Haut-Brion, but both offer prodigious styles of wine. (97pts. Robert Parker)

Tasted: Apr. 2008
Score: 97
Drink: 2016-48

Tasting note: The Indian spices and blackberry on the nose are so enticing and inspiring, leading to a full-bodied palate, with very polished tannins that caress. Goes on and on as this builds on the palate, with a mineral and berry aftertaste. For long-term aging. Best after 2015. 5,665 cases made. (97pts. JS, Wine Spectator)

Tasted: Mar. 31, 2008
Score: 97
Drink: After 2015

Tasting note: Very lovely color. The elegance of its nose, intense, fine, fruity, creamy, floral and complex, recalls that of the 2000. Superb entry, full, where the wine develops smooth with complex flavors and fat hitherto unknown. Supple, rich in tactile and aromatic nuances, it evolves flavorful, juicy, suibtle and strong. Very, very long finish. Before bottling it appeared less closely knit than the 2000, but more fat. It will be interesting to taste them side by side. Wait until 2015 and before 2040. (95.5pts. Jean Marc Quarin)

Tasted: Mar. 2007
Score: 95.5
Drink: 2015-40